Five minutes with… Down’s Lisa Morgan

Name: | Lisa Morgan |
Age: | Younger than you think
Occupation: | Events Officer

Teams played for:

Castlewellan and Down. Spent two summers in America and played with Cavan, New York and Saoirse, San Francisco! That was also the two summers I learnt how to drink alcohol.

If you were throwing a party and you could invite anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would you ask around?

Gordon Ramsey to cook, Jason Derulo for obvious reasons, Eliza Downey to crack the jokes

Where do you like to go out to celebrate after a big victory?

If with county, it always begins with a carry-out on the bus then (if I’m still alive) out to the Canal Court with the girls. On many an occasion, I would lose everybody so would leave, go get myself a chicken supreme from Friar Tucks and pay £20 for a taxi home. With club, always end up back at our club house with the usual suspects listening to the jukebox till 4am! Next day I contemplate my life! Townhouse getting a hit recently. Great spot.

If you weren’t playing GAA what would you be at?

Probably morbidly obese wondering why I don’t play GAA anymore. JK…. Probably working my ass off, making lots of money so I could travel

What’s the worst pitch you’ve ever played on?

Annaclone. Brutal! I’m not even joking I think they had a few sheep and cows on it before we took to the field for the warm up one game! Annsborough would run it close

Which character in any film are you most like?

So I got someone else to answer this one for me and apparently I’m most like Dory from ‘Finding Nemo’ – Because I’m dopey #NotTrue

Any odd items in your kit bag?

The odd glove and a holy medal my mum gave me.

What’s your preferred brand of gear?

Not going to lie, but tend to stick to the moulded Puma Kings. They haven’t done me too bad so far. Did venture once and bought a pair of Robin Van Persie boots (during my stint at Ballymena Utd). Let’s just say the Gaelic girls would absolute crucify me if I took them out of the boot. BCG Gloves, Under armour headbands and O’Neills gear.

Who’s the biggest joker in the teams you play for?

The Charlie’s Angels Sinead Mac, Jordo and wee Lauren are the jokers at county. At club, Aoife Keown & Aisling Burns, though Clare Clelland isn’t too far behind them. JB’s one liners got to get a mention. She’s also great craic on a night out

Which team mate has the best looking other half?

Obviously my own, but if I had to choose another, it would be Noeleen’s man, Aidan. A Fermanagh man too.

Who is the worst trainer?

Aisling Burns! Danders in to training late every night. Now she’s moved to Uni in Derry so we never see her. Nicola McCabe runs her a close second. She’s practically horizontal.

Who spends most time in front of the mirror in the dressing room?

At county it would have been Orla Boyle. Always fixing that head band and high bun of hers. Aileen Pyers and Hannah Murray are normally beside her. At club, there is too many too name, normally we have a queue for that sort of craic.

Who’s the best/worst person to share a room with on away trips?

I wish we got away trips!

Who’s the best/worst person to sit beside on the team bus?

Best – Fegan twins and Niamh McGowan. Your guaranteed banter, along with sweets, crisps and even an odd chippy (Yes this actually happened). Worst: Meghan Doc – could sleep for Ireland at any time of the day or night. If I sat beside Paula Clelland on a bus, I would probably be on the beer that evening.

Who has the best and who has the worst diet on the team, and what does it include?

Best diet – My club mate Karen McMullan. Always eating rabbit food, makes me nauseous. Worst: Absolutely without fail, the two Fegan twins again. They keep the local Chineses and kebab shops in Newry in business. The businesses are probably all closed down now saying both have left the country.

Toughest opponent you have faced?

Neamh Woods of Tyrone bout seven years ago. Murdered me one day in Páirc Esler. Cara Cunningham deserves a mention too. Beats me up at club training

Best or worst quote you’ve heard, either from a manager, player, opponent?

Diane O’Hora once described me as an articulated lorry! Well that was the beginning of a great friendship lol JK. Love Andrea Pirlo. He once quoted ‘I don’t feel pressure I don’t give a toss about it. I spent the afternoon of Sunday, 9 July, 2006 in Berlin sleeping and playing the PlayStation. In the evening, I went out and won the World Cup’.

Best manager you’ve ever played under?

Seamus Branniff/Michelle Clancy (took Down ladies to our first ever All Ireland Title in 2000), Paul McShane and Sean O’Hare in 2009 when we won Division Two National league and Mark Copeland, Ryan McShane and Diane O’Hora. At club level, Miceal Morgan, Liam Hardy and county legend Colm McAlarney. I’ve been lucky.

Best ever performance?

Played Termon last year in Ulster Senior Club semi-final, scored 11 points but we were narrowly beaten by four. Enjoyed that game. But I will always remember my 1-2 in last year’s All Ireland final, particularly because I dislocated my shoulder six weeks before it and was pretty much told my season was over. I stuck at the rehab and was given the no.15 Jersey on All Ireland final day. Hit a penalty into the hill and a point of my left and right boot! Not a bad day at the office as my mum would say

One to forget?

Yes… There has been plenty. Even though we won the Ulster final last year v Fermanagh. I was awful that day.

When you were playing in the back garden, who did you pretend to be?

If the ball was in my hands, Ciaran McCabe. If the ball was at my feet, Ryan Giggs.

If there was a transfer market who’d be in and who’d be out of the team?

Aisling Burns out because she wants to be in Derry on the beer anyway and in… I’d have to say..wouldn’t mind playing up front with the Diane O’Hora of the late 90s and I’d take in Sinead Goldrick, Brid Stack and Sinead Fegan for my defence.